Box Score

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Cardinal men's soccer team suffered a 1-0 loss to cross-town rival Capital in its Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opener on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Otterbein (5-3-2 overall) also saw its six-match unbeaten streak come to an end, as the team prepares for a two-game road trip beginning at Ohio Northern on Wednesday. First kick is slated for 7 p.m. in Ada, Ohio.

Defense was the story in the opening half as both teams protected their goal despite a combined 12 shots taken. The Cardinals' best look came off the foot of junior Noah Coons, who ripped a shot in the box that was saved by nicely by Crusader goalkeeper Justin Niswonger.

Capital's Connor Blakely unloaded his team's best opportunity on goal with less than a minute remaining, firing a shot from just outside the box before Cardinal goalkeeper Collin Hoffmann made a stellar diving save.

The Crusaders held an 8-4 advantage in shots at the break, but the Cards held them to just a pair of shots on goal. Otterbein saw one of its four shots come on goal.

Otterbein opened the second half with an aggressive style of play on offense, manufacturing seven shots through the first 18 minutes. Capital conversely was held to one shot over that span, but managed to net the game's lone goal in the 69th minute on Andrew McEwan's first collegiate score.

The Cards got back-to-back looks on goal with just over six minutes left to play, as freshman Tiger Pham first struck a ball that was saved by Niswonger followed by junior Jaden Lunger's header that sailed wide off a corner kick by Pham.

Otterbein ended the match with a 14-11 lead in shots, including a 6-4 mark in shots on goal. A spirited affair on the field was also noted with 20 combined fouls and one yellow card.